Well, Sex & the City got a somewhat bad reputation for making idols out of women who actually can’t hold a serious, functional relationship. They talk and bitch and analyze the men and relationships in their lives, and sure it may be as simple as dating a lot of bad apples, but maybe part of it was their own problems with themselves and how they approached relationships. I mean, it takes two to make one work, and two to have one fail.

In retrospect, Grey’s Anatomy seems has done the same thing. Now, I love the show. But, why?

The women on Grey’s are all generally strong characters. They are smart, witty, gorgeous, and have it all together…except in matters of the heart.

 

 

Here is Meredith, she falls for this guy, finds out he’s married, and is still in love with him. He chooses to go back to his wife (fine), then he gets jealous and calls her a whore. He keeps lusting after her and stringing her along. And she lets him. She even sleeps with him again.She says this, “

Maybe we like the pain. Maybe we’re wired that way. Because without it, I don’t know; maybe we just wouldn’t feel real. What’s that saying? Why do I keep hitting myself with a hammer? Because it feels so good when I stop.”What does that say?!?

(The video clip I wanted was taken down due to copyright permissions)


Then there is Addison, she stands by her man in a masochistic way, even though he is obviously in love with Meredith. She even says “the only people who don’t know that Derek loves Meredith are Derek and Meredith.” I mean, why stay with him, why do that? Keep the hope, wait for him to come around? You cheated on him. He left. End of story. Why wait for him to forgive you?

She says, “I want you to care. I sleep with your best friend, and you walk away. He comes out here from New York and rubs it in your face, and still you get a good night’s sleep. What do I have to do? Oh, I know. Maybe what I should do is go out on a date with the vet because that seems to be something that sends you into a blind rage. Oh but wait, that won’t work either because I’m not Meredith Grey!”

I mean, I understand her pain, but seriously.

Now, I know these are all fictional TV characters, but is the popularity of the show (especially with women) due to women relating to these characters? And is that a bad thing? Is the show popular because women look at these characters and idealize the relationships and lives they have, make them their own…and is that a good thing?

Sex and the City taught us that it was OK to be single and 30+ and fabulous. And I agree with that. Why should you feel like less of a person, less of a woman, if you’re single and not married by the ticking time bomb of 30+? But, the fact that women had to be told that it was OK, that’s where it bothers me. You know what I mean?

And Grey’s, in the back of my mind, validates that women are weak. The women let the men run the show. Meredith slept with George then couldn’t do anything about it when he stopped talking to her for weeks. Alex didn’t kiss Izzy on their first date, so she just got mad about it until he did. Christina is so detached and cold sometimes that she pushes Burke away.

I’m not sure if it’s a reflection of our society, in a subconsious way…or if it’s just a few examples of dysfuntional relationships that gets everybody interested. It’s like watching a train wreck. Even other popular shows feature weak women characters…Friends, Will & Grace, even older shows like Dawson’s Creek. The only “strong woman” show I can think of is Alias. Even that show Commander in Chief got cancelled.

So here we are, all mindlessy watching these entertaining and good shows…but are we really seeing what’s there?

Popularity: 48% [?]